Another historic landmark pub has closed with the team behind the decision saying there had been "a lot of soul searching".

The Bell in Faringdon has had the shutters pulled down as brewery Wadworth has been unable to find a new tenant.

A spokesperson for Wadworth said: "We are constantly reviewing our estate to ensure we are maximising its value and looking at where we are investing our money. 

"Unfortunately, at this current time the best option for us is to put this pub on the market to sell."

The pub was taken over by Oxford-based pub company Ad Tavernum run by George Harwood-Dallyn and Drew Brammer in 2019.

The group also runs the Jolly Postboys in Florence Park Road in Oxford.

They pulled out in March and in a farewell message on Facebook said: "Our Faringdon adventure is over. Considering the current economic climate for pubs and hospitality as a whole, whilst also feeling a want and desire to move away from the hospitality industry itself, we have decided not to renew our tenancy here at The Bell."

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The team said the decision had come after "a lot of soul searching".

"Obviously this is the last thing we wanted to do, but sometimes decisions must be made with the brain and not the heart," they said.

"Unsurprisingly, the decision to close our pub is one that no publican ever wants to make.

"Alas, there are both personal, professional, and non-material factors that means that this is the right decision for us, right now."

But they urged people to continue to support all the remaining pubs, saying: "Please..please...please... continue to support the local businesses and pubs of Faringdon - remember if you don't use it you will lose it.

"Don't think that it will always be there, it might not. All small business relies on you, the community, to support it."

The pub ran live music and DJ nights as well as a pop-up pizza Fridays with wood-fired pizza from Whitehorsebox Pizza.

The team caused some controversy when they first took over the 17th century market place building which is Grade II-listed.

They had to apply for special planning permission to repaint the signs at the front because they said they were "out of date and fading".

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Locals also thought that in redecorating the pub they had painted over a beloved mural on the walls inside but, in fact, it had been covered with plasterboard.

Meanwhile the Old Crown Coaching Inn opposite the Bell has recently undergone a huge refurbishment under new owners Nick Evans and his son Sebastiaan - who already run the Black Horse in Standlake and the Waggon and Horses in Southmoor -  alongside business partner Andy Clarke.

As well as a bar, it has an 80 seater restaurant, a new cocktail/wine bar area, an al fresco dining courtyard and 14 rooms.

Hanging Judge Jeffreys used the 16th century inn as a court house and the condemned were hanged outside in the yard.